Ignition meter fuse problem.....Help!

[skinnyfatelvis]

My 2001 Sentra keeps blowing the 10A ignition meter fuse when shifting from Park to Reverse. I have no clue if these automatic transmission sentras have a reverse light switch like the manual transmission cars. I'd love to find the short or pinched wire but don't know where to look. Any help would be great. I've removed the center console and snooped around the shifter, but haven't found anything that looks burned out (except that shifter light bulb of course). Almost everything under the hood looks like it's about to burn out due to age, but I have no clue if what I'm looking for is even under the hood. As soon as it blows then it's all battery life after that. I'm guessing it's a crusty wire somewhere which has been exposed to harsh weather over the years.

Any thoughts???

[i68k]

your right, sounds like youre grounding out somewhere. i believe there are wiring diagrams for the ignition in the fsm, this way you can chase the right wires. im not familiar with automatic. you can download the fsm for free around here somewhere:

nicoclub.com/fsm
allsentra.com/fsm

does the fuse blow when the motor is off, or on? does it blow when you shift out of neutral? does it only blow when you go into reverse? if you have the consoles out, put a fuse in, and shift to see if you can see where it sparks and follow the current, maybe at the shifter lever, maybe under the hood.

[skinnyfatelvis]

The fuse only seems to be blowing when I stay in Reverse or pause in reverse and does not matter if the car is running or not. If I quickly shift past Reverse, it does not blow. I checked the trunk where the wires bend while opening and shutting the trunk, but nothing. So far the only visible spark is the one from the fuse box. I'll keep snooping around and try to figure out some of those wiring diagrams.

[i68k]

you need to break out the multimeter, and the fsm, and start following wires. somewhere along those wires is a break thats grounding out. check the troubleshooting in the fsm, there maybe a particular 'electrical issue when reversing'. i dont think a burned out bulb will blow fuses.

[skinnyfatelvis]

I checked a few more places. I found the reverse switch right behind the driver's side front wheel well, but found nothing wrong. After losing patients, I gave up looking for the problem and took it to the dealer and helped them narrow it down. The tech found a short in the main wire harness. Mystery solved and car fixed.....Yahoo!!

Thanks for all the help Guys!

[i68k]

glad you got your problem resolved